Means for maintaining tension on a steering tendon in a steerable catheter
AssigneeCardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Simpson, Robert C. Hayzelden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catheter handle includes a steering controller to be used in conjunction with a steerable catheter shaft, and a steering tendon tensioning device. The operator deflects the profile of a distal-end region of the catheter by rotating the steering controller. Spring devices located on the steering tendons maintain the steering tendons in tension during manipulation of the steering controller. A locking device locks the steering controller in place relative to the handle.
Claims25
A system for applying tension to a steering tendon, the tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a rotatable steering controller;
- a stop disposed at the controller having the proximal end of the tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the stop;
- and
- a spring device having a distal end at the stop and a proximal end attached to the tendon at a location proximal to the stop;
- wherein movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position and opposite the first direction, maintains tension on the tendon.
A system for applying tension to a first steering tendon and a second steering tendon, each tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a rotatable steering controller;
- a first stop disposed at the controller and having the proximal end of the first tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point distant from the first stop;
- a first spring device having a distal end at the first stop and a proximal end attached to the proximal end of the first tendon;
- a second stop disposed at the controller and having the proximal end of the second tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the second stop;
- and
- a second spring device having a distal end at the second stop and a proximal end attached to the proximal end of the second tendon;
- wherein movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the first tendon while maintaining tension on the second tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position increases tension on the second tendon while maintaining tension on the first tendon.
A system for applying tension to a steering tendon, the tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a rotatable steering controller having the proximal end of the tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the steering controller;
- and
- a spring device having a distal end positioned proximate the tendon exit paint of the steering controller and a proximal end attached to the tendon at a location proximal to the steering controller;
- wherein movement of the steering controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the tendon and movement of the steering controller in a second direction relative the neutral position and opposite the first direction, maintains tension on the tendon.
A system for applying tension to a steering tendon, the tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a rotatable steering controller having a cavity;
- a stop disposed at the controller having the proximal end of the tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the stop;
- and
- a spring device having a distal end at the stop and a proximal end attached to the tendon at a location proximal to the stop;
- wherein the proximal end of the spring and the proximal end of the tendon are positioned within the cavity of the controller;
- and
- wherein movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position and opposite the first direction, maintains tension on the tendon, the proximal end of the spring and the proximal end of the tendon remaining in the cavity of the controller during movement of the controller.
A system for applying tension to a first steering tendon and a second steering tendon, each tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a rotatable steering controller having a cavity;
- a first stop disposed at the controller and having the proximal end of the first tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the first stop;
- a first spring device having a distal end at the first stop and a proximal end attached to the proximal end of the first tendon;
- a second stop disposed at the controller and having the proximal end of the second tendon passing therethrough and terminating at a point a distance from the second stop;
- and
- a second spring device having a distal end at the second stop and a proximal end attached to the proximal end of the second tendon;
- wherein the proximal end of the first spring device and the proximal end of the first tendon are positioned within the cavity of the controller;
- wherein the proximal end of the second spring device and the proximal end of the second tendon are positioned within the cavity of the controller;
- and
- wherein movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the first tendon while maintaining tension on the second tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position increases tension on the second tendon while maintaining tension on the first tendon the proximal end of the first and second spring device and the proximal end of the first and second tendon remaining in the cavity of the controller during movement of the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.